Tom Selleck says he kept the Rolex associated with Magnum, P.I. because he loves it: it is tough, useful for tracking two time zones, and—in his words—a perfect match for the character. He also likes its red-and-blue “Pepsi” bezel, which echoed Magnum’s red Ferrari and the colors of Hawaii. There is a reference-number wrinkle, though: Selleck called his watch a 1675, while Hodinkee identifies the principal on-screen watch as a 16750.
Why Selleck says he still wears it
In a 2018 interview with the Fondation Haute Horlogerie, Selleck said, “That I did keep. I’ve always loved that watch. It was the perfect match for Magnum.” He praised its durability, recalling that it had been underwater, buried in sand and knocked around without giving him problems.
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Its practicality mattered too: the GMT-Master’s dual-time display lets the wearer track a second time zone. Selleck also explained the visual appeal. The red bezel suited Magnum’s Ferrari, while the blue called to mind Hawaii’s lagoons and sky. He called the two-color bezel a “Pepsi” and said he believed its enduring reputation would keep it in style.
Which Rolex did Magnum wear?
The distinction between the two reference numbers is important. Selleck referred to his watch as a Rolex 1675 in the 2018 Fondation Haute Horlogerie interview. Watch specialist Hodinkee, in its 2021 account, identifies the principal on-screen Magnum watch as a GMT-Master 16750, citing details including the dial-and-hand arrangement and crown-guard shape. Those are different source claims; Selleck’s wording should not be silently treated as Hodinkee’s identification.
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Hodinkee gives the 1675’s production period as 1959–1980 and the 16750 successor’s as 1980–1988. The show also ran from 1980 to 1988, but that overlap alone does not establish the reference of Selleck’s personal watch or of every watch used on screen.
When the Rolex appeared in the series
The GMT-Master was not Magnum’s watch from the pilot. According to Hodinkee, he wore a Chronosport Sea Quartz 30 through much of the first seasons and occasionally a Seiko SQ Quartz diver. The Rolex GMT-Master appeared in season four.
In the show’s fictional backstory, the GMT belonged to Magnum’s father. A season-four flashback shows his father wearing it while timing young Thomas’s swim, giving the watch its heirloom connection.
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What made the GMT-Master fit Magnum?
Hodinkee describes the 16750 as a steel-bracelet tool watch with 100 m water resistance and a dual-time function. The practical travel-and-timing utility suited an investigator who was often outdoors; the red-and-blue bezel gave the watch a more distinctive look without losing its rugged character. Selleck’s own explanation connects that color scheme to the Ferrari and Hawaii, rather than to a technical need.
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“Rolex GMT-Master 16750 Pepsi” is a useful search phrase for the watch Hodinkee identifies as the principal on-screen example. Vintage watches can differ substantially in condition, originality and service history, so confirm the reference and inspect the specific example before buying. Seek documentation and a reputable independent authentication or dealer assessment; a listing title or photos alone do not establish authenticity. No particular listing or current availability is verified here.
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